Wednesday, February 27, 2008

February (kind-of) Drawing

My oldest little helper turned 2 last Friday...

Where the heck have the past 2 years gone? Truth-be-told, I was actually a bit sad on Thursday night when I said good-night to her because it was her last night being 1. Silly, I know, but it hit me hard.

So what was I trying to take a picture of above? As most of you know, Meg of Montessori by Hand released her FANTASTIC new Emmeline apron pattern a few weeks ago. I hopped on the proverbial band-wagon and got a bunch of her patterns to put in my web-store.

Then it dawned on me that fabric kits would be a fantastic idea - who doesn't just absolutely LOVE the chocolate and aqua scroll fabric by Anna Marie Horner?! Ditto for Heather Ross' Gnomes and dots. So, take a look in my shop when you have a chance (there's even a special hard-to-find birdy print!). I've got some fabric suggestions for the Reading Pillow, Gnome Messenger Bag, Mei Tei Baby Carrier, and of course gorgeous Emmeline. I'll be posting more fabric kits when I get some more of the apron patterns in stock- Heather Bailey's Freshcut, Amy Butler's Belle and Lotus, and a few other gems are waiting to be cut into...

I'll also be stocking the fabric section of my shop with some yardage so you can mix and match as you please :)

So what's been new around here? A little more sleep, courtesy of baby Ben, and a ton more wetbags. Honestly I've made about 100 this month. Can I just say how much I am DYING to make the pleated bag from Amy Karol's book? Soon. I promise. I've started cutting!

I daydream a lot when I sew bulk orders... and the latest thing that I've been fixated on is quilting. I've never done it but would like to make a small project.

This is where you come in :)(You didn't really think I'd forget about the February give-away, did you? :)

Same rules as last time - I'm posting 2 projects that I'd like to make, and you decide which one I'll make.Please post your response by Wed., March 5th and then I'll pick a lucky winner - this month's prize will be..... the Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag Sewing Pattern!

When you post your response, please start with your first name, the first initial of your last name and where you're from. Thanks :)

Project #1: Table Runner and Cute Pillow(Pattern by Thimble Blossoms)

Materials: BLOSSOM by Urban Chiks(I've got a serious obsession with this line right now - I know that it's full of fall colors, but I love the birds, and the big dot fabric that Joy got me hooked on). Our home is decorated with these colors, so I think it would be fine to use year-round.Dark colors also hide stains well :)

Project #2: Lap quilt from the BEND THE RULES SEWING book by Amy Karol

Materials: (more birds... this time, from Joel Dewberry's Aviary Line.This line is GORGEOUS!I'd like to make Syd a new spring-time quilt, and I think this would be perfect. Her room is painted a light yellow and I'm thinking of adding some bird and tree drawings to the wall.

AK! What great fabrics! Not being a quilter (too afraid!) ... I'd think I'm going to say Amy's quilt. I have that avaiary in yellow too and just can't decide what to do with it. There is tons of support from her flicker group if you ran into problems. I love the Moda fabric as well, I made placemats and napkins at Christmas http://someofakind.blogspot.com/2007/12/one-two-threewheres-four.html Best wishes - glad you are getting some sleep! BTW - I know what you mean about time flying by - Henry will be FOUR! in may - oh my.

Happy birthday to the little one! It is so hard to let them grow up isn't it!I am SO excited that you are carrying the apron pattern. I was just thinking about ordering it soon...how handy! ;)Two great projects for this month! How to choose just one...you do know how I feel about the Blossom fabric and that is a great pattern. I really like the quilt though so I think that I will go with that plus you have been wanting to quilt so why not go for it! You can do it!!! You deserve a break from those wet bags! Might I add that is a lot of wet bags!!!Happy Sewing!

Project 1. And I love the colors you've chosen, regardless of them being "fall" colors. I think you can step outside the box there since they are such lovely fabrics :) I love her patterns too. I'm just making myself actually have time to sew one before I purchase one. (there's 3 I've been eyeing.)

Karie P. from Michigan... I think you should make the table runner and pillow with the Blossom Fabrics, I too am in love with that fabric, I just got a charm square stack yesterday, and cant decide what to do with it yet...

Lap quilt. I'm a sucker for the Aviary fabric. I've been trying to hold myself to the rule of not buying fabric unless I have a specific project in mind, but with this line I couldn't help getting some "just in case". =)

Rebekah B, Arkansas... I love both projects, truly couldn't go wrong with either, but I vote for the first one. Great choice for your first try at quilting, you'll finish it quickly and can then apply all those newly aquired skills to the bigger project... love the oranges and yellows, love Joel Dewberry fabric! Can't wait to see both finished. Good luck!

I think the Blossom fabric would look fantastic as a runner. I'd love to see that put together. BTW, where did you get that Moda "Summer in the City" fabric? I have been looking high and low for the red and aqua version of those prints.

I am voting for the table runner and pillow for 2 reasons#1 I absolutely love the color palette and fabric choices and#2 I think it would get a lot more all-day use than a lap quilt would, and your guests would surely love to see it out and in use.

Well, I hate to be redundant, but I also vote for the springtime quilt. Spring is in the air! The table runner and pillow also look like a fun project, but table runners always seem to be Autumnish projects (maybe because of all the food-centered holidays). Anyway, what better way to celebrate Spring than to make something for your own little person!? (That and to do some Spring cleaning-which is not half as exciting as a craft project.)

Jill V from Greenwood, IN. It ate my first comment!! I vote for the quilt as well. I am sure he will be very proud of it and what a wonderful heirloom to make for him! It would look fantastic in a pale yellow room, can't wait to see it all worked up. I had the pattern in my cart, I think I will wait 2 days to see if I can win!Jill :)

Molly C from Pittsfield MAI must say I too vote for the quilt. I absolutely love the fabric you've picked out for it and I think a quilt is probably more practical and useful than a tablerunner in my opinion!

Goodness...hummmm...how do I pick just one. They are both fabulous projects, not to mention I LOVE the great fabric! I'd pick project #2 the quilt.... those fabrics are just screaming SPRING!!! Go for it!!!

P.S. Thanks again for the wet bags, even my husband commented on how cute they were!!! He's got good taste, what can I say!!! Oh yeah, click on my name...and you can check out my blog...its not as cool as yours though!!!

Nicole L from Minnesota,I am voting for the quilt but I really, really love the blossom fabric. You seem to have a bug to quilt so I say go for it! I actually just got the apron pattern, I preordered it. However, I really, really want the gnome bag pattern, so I hope you draw my name.